A leatherwork maker in western Japan is trying to promote items made from the hides of Kobe beef cattle by capitalizing on the global recognition of the highly prized meat brand.

Kiichiro Katayama, owner of leather brand Kiichi Co. in the port city, has led an initiative to produce items with "Kobe leather," procured from pedigree Tajima cattle born and shipped in Hyogo Prefecture. The cattle produce one of the highest-grade brands of wagyu, or Japanese-produced beef, which is known for its marbled fat.

Bovine leather handled by Japanese leatherwork makers generally comes from dairy cows overseas. Leather taken from the Tajima strain of Japanese Black cattle has been considered unsuited for processing because only a small amount can be taken from one animal and it is relatively thin.

(Kiichiro Katayama, owner of "Kobe leather" brand Kiichi Co)

Although some 5,000 heads of cattle are classified annually as Kobe beef cattle in Japan, their skins have traditionally had little commercial value as the cattle's high fat content causes the leather to take on a mottled look when dyed.

Thinking it to be "a waste of local resources," Kiichi began reaching out last fall to three firms -- a maker of leather-upholstered chairs, a boutique that handles leather goods and a shoemaker -- for collaboration.

In July, Katayama, the three partners and a mail order retail business launched an association for Kobe leather, allowing him to assemble techniques that would minimize the appearance of blemishes and incorporate the mottled features of the leather into the design.

With the help of an external designer, the company was able to create an assortment of accessories such as leather bags as well as coin purses that change color depending on the temperature.

The designer of the products was awarded first prize in a section highlighting the work of artists under aged 35 at a collateral event of the Salone del Mobile Milano, an annual design fair held in April in Milan, Italy.

The company is now planning to produce furniture and shoes using hides of the cattle, and to start full-fledged sales of the items by taking part in a major trade show, the Interior Lifestyle Tokyo, in November at Tokyo Big Sight.

"I'd like to make use of local techniques and the recognition of Kobe beef in order to go global in representing the Kobe brand," said Katayama.